Infertility and Stem Cell Transplant

You have been on my mind and figured you would write when you needed to.  I am so glad things are going as planned as far as Kyle's treatment, (that's what I know we are all hoping for) but so sorry you have this other issue to face.  I'm sorry that I don't know much about the fertility part.  I am sure someone will know though, or at least have some good info or thoughts for you.  I just wanted to thank you for keeping us informed of Kyle's condition.  I know this must be so overwhelmeing for you both and for your families too.  You are both very young and of course, as such a responsible couple, having children is a priority in your lives together.  There are some definites in the cancer battle but also many alternate paths that the battle takes.  I would email some doctors who have done SCTs.  Make your inquiry very brief, you just never know, they may just answer.  Of course we have to be realistic, and that is not easy, but you must never let go of the hope.  Most importantly though is the love you have for each other.  Keep fighting you two and know that we are always here and we all care.  Thoughts and prayers to you both, Becky

I do not know what drugs Kyle is receiving, but two of the drugs in abvd (Bleomycine and Vinblastine) not only warn against conception during pregnancy, they warn agains any sex during use unless barrier protection is also used.  Vincristine, which is very similiar to Vinblastine, also carries this waring (Vincristine is in many of the NHL combinations). 

Since he is already using chemo, I doubt any clinic would want to store current seman, but I am absolutely no expert at this.

Also, many chemo drugs cause infertility, even at "regular" doses (i.e., much weaker doses than are employed in stem cell transplantation).  But like many chemo side-effects, these are usually temporary.  Besides talking to his oncologist, I would consult a fertility expert when you two feel the time is "right."

You can very easily look up each of his drugs, and their side-effects, at Chemocare.com.  I usually insert this as a link, but when I tested it this time, it was going somewhere else, so just Google "chemocare.com" yourself.  It's a very easy site to navigate.

Best of luck to the both of you,

max

MChantal said:

Thank you everyone

Thank you everyone. Again, I can't express my gratitude for all your unconditional support. We are currently speaking with FertilityHope, they are a part of LiveStrong Corp. and we are trying to see whether he will be able to perserve his sperm before the stem cell transplant. He has to absolutley do it before than tho, because, it is pretty much guaranteed he will be infertile after the transplant.

God has a plan tho. We are trusting in Him.

Kyle will be going to Presbyterian St. Luke's Hospital in September for his stem cell transplant. We are so ready for this to be over! It is crazy to think tho, time definitely does fly by.  I always try to express to him that this is merely "a moment in time."  This is NOT going to be around the rest of our lives. We will be done with this by the end of this year!

 

Hahaha, Kyle being silly. He would kill me for putting this up! Tee-hee!!

Hi Michelle.  Tell Kyle he looks great.  Just think - with the money he's saving on shampoo and shaving supplies, he can make a down payment on a house!  I looked like that once - just not as young and handsome .  

Hugs to you both and keep smiling,

Jim

girliefighter said:

Shed a little light

Michelle and Kyle,

I do not know what you are personally going through with all of this, it seems like you keep getting a new curveball thrown your way. I am so sorry that you do have to go through this.

This might be too much info, but I will share it anyway. I too was told that I would not be able to have children and would go into menopause from the chemo. I thought, "well this sucks", I can deal with it if it was my decision but for someone else to decide for me was such a definitive thing. It didn't seem fair and I too explored the option of storing eggs prior to having any procedures and it would cost way tooo much out of pocket for me for the procedure and then they told me that you have to pay like $800 a year for them to just store your eggs. I realize that we are dealing with sperm in your case in stead of eggs, but at the end of the day they both must function together to get the job done.  Anyhow, to the point...I have not went into menopause and currently still have my monthly cycle, it might be slightly different than prior to beginning my treatment but she still comes to visit. I have no idea if after having all those toxins pumped in if it would be safe to conceive and too have struggled with my own selfishness bringing suffering to another tiny human. I have went through this a million times in my head and all I can tell you is research, ask questions and pray...Pray that if it is meant to be, that it can and will happen even after the extreme drugs and procedures. It has happened for many people and you two deserve such a miracle for yourselves, when you are ready for the blessing.

Focus on getting healthy and enjoying each other as much as possible and everything else will fall into place.

FAITH

XXXOOO

Carie

You are soooo right Carie, if something is meant to happen by God or a little one is to come to this world no chemo nothing can prevent that from happening. Of course take precautions and educate yourself but at the end it is all in Gods hands... I told similar to Michele in private msg... As well as a story of someone I knew who had a baby even though she was told she could not after her treatments... Lots of love to you Carie... Sometimes I'm not that great in writing here so I prefer private msgs...

MChantal said:

Thank you Carie and

Thank you Carie and DadysGirl. I know you two are exactly right. It is just so "Grr!!!"  You described it completely perfect Carie, its how dare someone else make the decision for us on whether or not to basically have children. That is definitely another concern, to try and create another child out of harsh chemicals of chemo. Thus, potentially altering their own being due to our own selfishness.

Cancer sucks! Plain and simple.

Miracles do happen everyday. We are just waiting for ours.

Thank you ladies!

Love,

Michelle

Hi everyone. 

I was diagnosed with NHL stage 4 when I was 19. I had 4 cycles of chemo and then a stem cell transplant.  It was tough and I am very blessed as I am now 5 years free.  

What brought me here was the revelation that my girlfriend and I have just had the great and frankly unbelievable news that she is pregnant.  I was told categorically that I would be infertile.  I had come to terms with this and never expected to be able to father naturally.  

All I wanted to say was do not give up hope.  I wish you all the best in your fight against this horrible disease and one day I hope that you may feel the joy that I am right now.